Two players can get in the face of MLS referees, but three will come with a penalty. (AP Photo)

MLS officials are taking a hard stance against what they call “mass confrontations,” and will discipline players and clubs any time three or more players rush a referee to object over a call.

“We noticed a significant increase in temperature on the field and often, quite frankly, for innocuous situations,” MLS director of competition Jeff Agoos told The Washington Post.

According to the newspaper, players and teams will be warned for the first such incident this season. Subsequent confrontation then would lead to fines for the players, the head coach and the club.

Agoos said MLS would use “common sense” in applying such penalties but said the league is firm that it no longer will tolerate the sort of bullying and and attempted intimidation of referees that is growing common in soccer around the world.